Autoimmune diseases, allergies, fatigue. These are all conditions that can be caused by leaky gut syndrome. Because our digestive system is solely responsible for distributing nutrients throughout our body that prevent illness, it can be devastating when it doesn't work right. Malabsorption (the inability to absorb nutrients from your diet) is a big contributor to many of today's health issues, and it's much more common than you think.

WHAT CAUSES MALABSORPTION?

Certain diseases, infections, or even some medications can cause absorption problems, but what many people don't know is that leaky gut can also be caused simply by digestive problems. Your stomach may not have the ability to produce the enzymes it needs to digest certain foods, or it may not be able to mix the food you eat with the enzymes produced by your stomach. Couple that with today's fast-paced society and convenience-based diets, and you've created a firestorm of inflammation and stress, both of which can contribute greatly to digestive instability. 

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF LEAKY GUT?

Symptoms differ depending on the specific nutrient or nutrients that aren’t being absorbed properly. Other symptoms are a result of a deficiency of that nutrient, which is caused by its poor absorption.

Some symptoms of leaky gut and malabsorption can be: 

• chronic diarrhea, constipation, or bloating
• fatigue
• headaches
• difficulty concentrating
• skin problems, such as acne, rashes, or eczema
• widespread inflammation

• Malabsorption of Protein: Dry hair, hair loss, or fluid retention.
  
• Malabsorption of Certain vitamins: Anemia, malnutrition, low blood pressure, weight loss, or muscle wasting.

HOW TO CORRECT LEAKY GUT

Because leaky gut can be caused by many different things and each individual's deficiency's are unique, there is no "One-Size-Fits-All"  treatment plan. Certain dietary and lifestyle changes may help people to improve their gut health. This, in turn, may alleviate leaky gut symptoms.

The following dietary tips may help to improve gut health:

• eating more probiotics to boost beneficial gut bacteria
• eating foods rich in prebiotic fiber, such as vegetables and whole grains
• eating less meat, dairy, and eggs
• avoiding added sugar and artificial sweeteners

The following lifestyle changes can improve digestion and support a healthy gut:

• exercising regularly
• getting enough sleep every night
• reducing stress
• avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics
• quitting smoking

Here at Curry Chiropractic, we offer nutritional counseling and a large variety of natural supplements to get our patients back to optimal health. Ask us how we can help you get back out there to live your best life!

Sources

1. Campos, Marcelo, MD.  "Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you?", Harvard Health Publishing.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/leaky-gut-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-for-you-2017092212451 

2.  Palermo, Elizabeth. "What is Acupuncture?", Live Science,

https://www.livescience.com/29494-acupuncture.html 

3. Hermanas, Dos. Pain Treatment Unit.  "Effectiveness of acupuncture and related techniques in treating non-oncological pain in primary healthcare--an audit", PubMed.gov,

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17641567 

4. "What to know about leaky gut syndrome", Medical News Today,

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326117#causes-and-risk-factors